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Until 1998, all bottlenose dolphins were considered members of the single species T. truncatus. In that year, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin was recognized as a separate species. The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is generally smaller than the common bottlenose dolphin, has a proportionately longer rostrum, and has spots on its belly and lower sides. It also has more teeth than the common bottlenose dolphin — 23 to 29 teeth on each side of each jaw compared to 21 to 24 for the common bottlenose dolphin. Some evidence shows the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin may actually be more closely related to certain dolphin species in the genera Stenella and Delphinus, especially the Atlantic spotted dolphin (S. frontalis), than it is to the common bottlenose dolphin. Much of the old scientific data in the field combine data about the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and the common bottlenose dolphin into a single group, making it effectively useless in determining the structural differences between the two species. The IUCN lists the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin as "near threatened" in their Red List of endangered species
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Penguin Island area of Indian Ocean.
Tursiops aduncus?
Spotted on Oct 30, 2016
Submitted on May 28, 2021
4 Comments
After further research, I propose this is an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus--very close to the suggestion below). this variety is a little smaller than the atlantic bottlenose, matching my recollection and what little context can be gleaned from the photo. Also I compared phots online and the fin and color more closely match.
Hi acallejas. Thanks for the dolphin ID suggestion. I am wondering what was your reasoning? The wiki article that you reference says the species you suggested is grey and the specimen is black, and also the size of the specimen is I think smaller than noted in the wiki reference (but of course it could be juvenile). I know it is hard with this photo b/c so much is below the water, but just wondering how you distinguished this from the other possibilities. Finally, if you do have expertise in dolphins, I would love it if you could also check this spotting of mine taken in New Zealand Doubtful Sound: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings.........
OK, thanks
Just a tiny suggestion...writing (what kind?) in the box meant for Common name is not required...If you tick the box asking for ID help...that is indication enough...or you could write a line in the box meant for Notes; that works well too. Good luck, I am sure you will get the ID(s) soon!